At the gig last night with special guest Guy Tyler on cello, and the always-stellar bassist Bill Athens:
What a great night! I had TWO string players with me. Although we played absolutely no Bach, Brahms or Beethoven, my classical self felt at home with this 1/2 of a string quartet. Guy brought an uber-mod electric cello. The thing weighed next to nothing and sounded really unique. Plus, jazz on the cello is just wacky cool. Some of my favorite moments from the night:
Bill's improvised bowings on the song "Both sides now". My arrangement is a bit classical in style, so I just gave him the chart and said - come up with something really beautiful, Bill. Goosebumps.
Guy's reggae-ish rhythms in "Love is here to stay." My arrangement of the well-loved tune grooves like Ahmad Jamal's Poinciana, so it's like Gershwin in the islands. Somehow Guy made the cello sound like a steel drum. Super beachy.
The older gentleman that stayed till the very end - midnight. He clapped and cheered after every tune, and said we "made his Friday night".
Thanks to all the new and old friends that made it out last night. Hope to see you again.
